Test Details
Methodology
High-pressure liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS-MS)
Result Turnaround Time
5 - 10 days
Turnaround time is defined as the usual number of days from the date of pickup of a specimen for testing to when the result is released to the ordering provider. In some cases, additional time should be allowed for additional confirmatory or additional reflex tests. Testing schedules may vary.
Use
This assay uses LC/MS-MS to quantify the free acid, glycine-conjugate and taurine-conjugate forms of cholic acid, chenodeoxycholic acid, deoxycholic acid, and ursodeoxycholic acid. Bile acids may be measured to investigate obstructive cholestasis in pregnancy.1 In addition, bile acids are required for cholesterol absorption, fat-soluble vitamin absorption, and to provide resistance to overgrowth of intestinal bacteria.1 Bile acid levels may be reduced or elevated due to various genetic defects.
Custom Additional Information
Bile acids are formed in the liver from cholesterol, stored and concentrated in the gallbladder, and excreted into the intestines in response to food. The liver synthesizes cholesterol into two primary bile acids, cholic acid and chenodeoxycholic acid. The primary bile acids are converted by intestinal bacteria to the secondary bile acids, deoxycholic acid and lithocholic acid. A fraction of chenodeoxycholic acid is also transformed into the tertiary bile acid, ursodeoxycholic acid.
Specimen Requirements
Specimen
Serum (preferred) or plasma, frozen
Volume
1 mL
Minimum Volume
0.3 mL (Note: This volume does not allow for repeat testing.)
Container
Red-top tube, gel-barrier tube, lavender-top (EDTA) tube, or green-top (sodium heparin) tube
Collection Instructions
Serum/plasma must be separated from cells within two hours of venipuncture. Transfer serum/plasma to a plastic transport tube before freezing.
Stability Requirements
Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
Room temperature | 1 day |
Refrigerated | 3 days |
Frozen | 14 days |
Freeze/thaw cycles | Stable x6 |
Storage Instructions
Refrigerate or freeze.
Patient Preparation
Patient should be fasting.
Causes for Rejection
Whole blood
Footnotes
LOINC® Map
| Order Code | Order Code Name | Order Loinc | Result Code | Result Code Name | UofM | Result LOINC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 503640 | Bile Acids, Fractionated LCMS | 43130-4 | 503642 | Ursodeoxycholic Acids | umol/L | 55159-8 |
| 503640 | Bile Acids, Fractionated LCMS | 43130-4 | 503643 | Cholic Acids | umol/L | 30518-5 |
| 503640 | Bile Acids, Fractionated LCMS | 43130-4 | 503644 | Chenodeoxycholic Acids | umol/L | 30519-3 |
| 503640 | Bile Acids, Fractionated LCMS | 43130-4 | 503645 | Deoxycholic Acids | umol/L | 30520-1 |
| 503640 | Bile Acids, Fractionated LCMS | 43130-4 | 503641 | Total Bile Acids | umol/L | 14628-2 |
| Order Code | 503640 | |||||
| Order Code Name | Bile Acids, Fractionated LCMS | |||||
| Order Loinc | 43130-4 | |||||
| Result Code | 503642 | |||||
| Result Code Name | Ursodeoxycholic Acids | |||||
| UofM | umol/L | |||||
| Result LOINC | 55159-8 | |||||
| Order Code | 503640 | |||||
| Order Code Name | Bile Acids, Fractionated LCMS | |||||
| Order Loinc | 43130-4 | |||||
| Result Code | 503643 | |||||
| Result Code Name | Cholic Acids | |||||
| UofM | umol/L | |||||
| Result LOINC | 30518-5 | |||||
| Order Code | 503640 | |||||
| Order Code Name | Bile Acids, Fractionated LCMS | |||||
| Order Loinc | 43130-4 | |||||
| Result Code | 503644 | |||||
| Result Code Name | Chenodeoxycholic Acids | |||||
| UofM | umol/L | |||||
| Result LOINC | 30519-3 | |||||
| Order Code | 503640 | |||||
| Order Code Name | Bile Acids, Fractionated LCMS | |||||
| Order Loinc | 43130-4 | |||||
| Result Code | 503645 | |||||
| Result Code Name | Deoxycholic Acids | |||||
| UofM | umol/L | |||||
| Result LOINC | 30520-1 | |||||
| Order Code | 503640 | |||||
| Order Code Name | Bile Acids, Fractionated LCMS | |||||
| Order Loinc | 43130-4 | |||||
| Result Code | 503641 | |||||
| Result Code Name | Total Bile Acids | |||||
| UofM | umol/L | |||||
| Result LOINC | 14628-2 |